西班牙对“相互关联”的恐怖袭击展开调查

A manhunt is underway in Spain after two terrorist vehicular attacks on pedestrians in the country's Catalonia region killed at least 13 people and injured more than 100 others.

The van driver escaped on foot and is still being sought. Police arrested two people Thursday — a Moroccan and a Spaniard — but it was not immediately clear how they are connected with the attack. A third person was arrested Friday in the northern Catalan town of Ripoll, Catalonia Interior Minister Joaquim Forn said.

In a similar attack hours later in Cambrils, a resort south of Barcelona, an automobile careened into pedestrians and a police vehicle. Police killed the five attackers, who they said also carried explosive belts, which were later found to be fake. Six civilians and a police officer were injured in the Cambrils attack.

Forn said Friday the Cambrils attack "follows the same trail" as the attack in Barcelona, he added, "There is a connection," without giving further details.

Police believe the attacks are also connected to an explosion in a house in Catalonia Wednesday that killed one person. Authorities suspect the people in the house were building an explosive device to be used in a terrorist attack.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly Barcelona rampage.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday 26 French citizens were among those injured in Barcelona. He said 11 are in serious condition. French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, however, said in a radio interview that "the number of those who have been seriously injured may perhaps be even higher at around 17."

Le Drian said in a statement that he will be in Barcelona Friday "to visit the French victims of this cowardly act and affirm France's support to the Spanish people and authorities."

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the van attack "jihadist terrorism."

"Today, the fight against terrorism is the principal priority for free and open societies like ours. It is a global threat and the response has to be global," Rajoy told reporters.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter the U.S. "will do whatever is necessary to help" Spain, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned, “Terrorists around the world should know, the United States and our allies are resolved to find you and bring you to justice."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama tweeted that " Americans will always stand with our Spanish friends."